Donald Trump/ Steelers/ Jets/ NFL/ Antonio Brown/ Le’Veon Bell/ Trump Pennsylvania campaign/ 2024 election/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, attended Sunday night’s NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets, closing a whirlwind weekend campaign stop in Pennsylvania. His appearance drew mixed reactions, with some fans chanting in support and others remaining neutral. Trump’s visit coincided with endorsements from controversial former Steelers Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, despite their tumultuous exits from the team.
Trump at Steelers-Jets NFL Game: Quick Looks
- Donald Trump attended the Steelers-Jets game in Pittsburgh as a guest of an unidentified suite holder.
- Trump received support from some fans, with chants of “USA” and pro-Trump signs, though the Steelers distanced themselves from taking any sides.
- Former Steelers Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, both of whom left the team under controversial circumstances, endorsed Trump and greeted him upon arrival.
- The Steelers have a history of political ties, with the Rooney family previously supporting Democratic administrations.
- Trump’s presence in Pennsylvania capped a busy campaign weekend, with the election just over two weeks away.
Trump Stops by NFL Primetime Matchup in Pennsylvania Amid Campaign Push
Deep Look:
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump made an unexpected appearance at Sunday night’s NFL matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets, attending the game at Acrisure Stadium as the guest of an unidentified suite holder. Trump arrived midway through the first quarter and was greeted by a small group of supporters who waved “Trump Nation” banners and wore Steelers jerseys. As Trump waved from the suite, fans in the crowd responded with chants of “USA,” though his appearance also stirred some mixed reactions.
A woman donning Steelers colors briefly disrupted the game in the third quarter by running onto the field with a pro-Trump sign, only to be quickly escorted away by security. The Steelers organization, however, made it clear that Trump was a guest of a suite holder, not the team itself. “We are not taking any political sides,” Steelers spokesperson Burt Lauten said.
Trump’s attendance at the game capped a packed weekend of campaigning in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state in the upcoming election. His visit to the Steelers game highlighted his deep ties to New York—Trump is close friends with Jets owner Woody Johnson, who served as U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom during Trump’s administration. On the flip side, the Steelers have a long-standing connection with Democratic politics. The Rooney family, which has owned the team for more than 90 years, supported Democratic leaders, with former chairman Dan Rooney serving as the U.S. ambassador to Ireland under President Barack Obama.
NFL Endorsements: Brown and Bell
Interestingly, Trump was backed by two former Steelers—wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le’Veon Bell—both of whom have a controversial history with the team. Brown and Bell, once star players in Pittsburgh, left the Steelers on bad terms in 2019 and have since been viewed unfavorably by many Steelers fans. Their endorsement of Trump raised eyebrows, particularly given Brown’s troubled post-NFL career, which has included legal issues, erratic behavior, and allegations of sexual misconduct.
Antonio Brown, who played nine seasons with the Steelers before forcing a trade in 2019, met with Trump at Pittsburgh International Airport alongside Bell. Brown’s NFL career, once promising, has been marred by multiple off-field controversies, including a brief stint with the Oakland Raiders that ended without him playing a single game, and subsequent legal troubles involving accusations of sexual assault. Brown also faced a public meltdown during a game in which he removed his jersey and pads before exiting the stadium mid-play.
Le’Veon Bell, a former Pro Bowler for the Steelers, sat out the entire 2018 season due to a contract dispute and later joined the New York Jets, where he struggled to replicate his Pittsburgh success. Bell has since retired from football, transitioning to celebrity boxing in recent years.
Despite Brown’s checkered past, Trump brushed off concerns when asked about endorsing the former wide receiver. “I don’t know anything about the allegations,” Trump told reporters. When pressed about the sexual misconduct claims, he responded, “I know he’s a hell of a football player.”
Trump’s decision to align with Brown and Bell—both of whom left Pittsburgh under a cloud of controversy—struck some as an unusual choice, given their less-than-favorable legacy with the Steelers. For many fans, Brown’s exit in particular remains a sore point, as he forced a trade after a series of public incidents and disagreements with the team.
Steelers’ Legacy and Political Ties
The Steelers have long held strong ties to Democratic politics through the Rooney family, a Pittsburgh institution known for supporting Democratic candidates and policies. Dan Rooney, the team’s former president and chairman, served as U.S. ambassador to Ireland during the Obama administration. On Sunday, however, Steelers spokesperson Burt Lauten made it clear that Trump was invited by a private suite holder and that the team had no involvement in his appearance.
Notably, several Steelers legends, including Joe Greene, Jerome Bettis, and the family of the late Franco Harris, have publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. Their endorsements reflect the team’s broader history of aligning with Democratic causes, standing in contrast to the support Trump received from Brown and Bell.
Closing Campaign Push
Trump’s visit to the game marked the end of a whirlwind weekend of campaigning in Pennsylvania, with Election Day just over two weeks away. Pennsylvania, a critical swing state, is expected to play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. Trump’s appearances, including the NFL game, serve as part of his strategy to appeal to Pennsylvania voters, a key demographic in his bid for re-election.
As the race heats up, Trump continues to rely on his ability to energize his base, leveraging high-profile events like the Steelers-Jets game to stay visible. However, his choice of endorsements from former Steelers like Brown and Bell, whose reputations are complicated at best, could prove to be a double-edged sword in a state where football allegiances run deep.
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